Dispensing apparatus



June 25, 1946. Q STEFAN, JR 2,402,707 I DISPENS ING APPARATUS Filed Feb.19, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented June 25, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE DISPENSING APPARATUS Alfred C. Stepan, Jr., Chicago, Ill.

Application February 19, 1944, Serial No. 523.029

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus and is particularlyconcerned with the novel structural organization and operation of anapparatus especially constructed to dispense, simultaneously, a liquiddetergent and a mild abrasive separately contained within the apparatus.

Dispensing apparatus of the kind to which this invention pertains isinstalled in a washroom and usually is of such construction as todispense a measured quantity of a mild detergent such as, for example,liquid soap, directly into the hand of the operator. The use of suchknown types o i'dispensing apparatus bypersons such as shop mechanics,etc, whose hands become excessively gritty, is not always satisfactoryprimarily because thedetergent therein contained may be too mild toefiect eiiicient cleaning of the hands. Moreover, it has been found thatit is not satisfactory to admix a quantity of detergent with an abrasivebecause of the tendency of'the abrasive to settle around the, dispensingvalve and thus clog the dispensing outlet or prevent tight closing ofthe valve, and in other instances, the presence of an adhesivev in thedetergent may cause objectionable wear in the apparatus due to theabrasive action of the abrasive. Therefore, washrooms have sometimesbeen equipped with a separate open receptacle for holding an abrasive, aquantity of which is gathered up and used in combination with thedetergent dispensed from 'a suitable apparatus, but this practice issubject to numerous objections, not the least of which'is theunnecessary wasting of the abrasive.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the objectionablepractices outlined hereinabove by providing a dispensing apparatus ofthe character referred to hereinabove which is constructed to hold aliquid detergent and an abrasive in separate compartmentsforsimultaneous discharge upon operation of a single dispensing valvemechanism.

Another object oi the invention is to efiect the discharge of a measuredquantity of a mild abrasive into the hand used by the operator toactuate the valve controlling the discharge of the liquid detergent.

Still other objects of the invention are to provide a dispensing deviceof the character referred to with novel actuating mechanism of a kindoperative to efiect simultaneous discharg of a liquid and a solid fromseparate containers, and which agitate the abrasive in such manner as toinsure dispensing thereof from the apparatus; and to enable the contentsof one compartment to be dispensed without there being a dispensing ofthe contents of the other compartment.

A further objectisto provide a dispensing apparatus which is of simpleand economical construction, positive and eflicient in operation, andpractical in use.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following description and claims and are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings which, by way of illustration,

parting from the present invention and the purview of the appendedclaims.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a dispens ing apparatus embodyingthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view with the back wall of the apparatusremoved;

Fig. 4 is a. vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 onFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 55 onFig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a similar horizontal sectional view taken substantially online 6-6 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken sub-' stantially on line'|-'l on Fig. 1, and showing the valve body in plan;

Fig. 8 is avertical sectional view of the valve body taken substantiallyon line 8-8 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of the valve body discharge passagewaytaken substantially on line 9-4) on Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken substandaily on line Ill-10 onFig. 5, and showing the measuring valve operating mechanism inelevation;

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view of the measur ing valvetakensubstantially on line ll--I| on Fig. 6; and

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the measuring valve.

The apparatus embodying the present invention, as disclosed in theaccompanying drawings, includes a cabinet I I having a bottom wall l2and an internal vertically disposed partition l3 disposed between theside walls and extending between the front wall I4 and back wall l5.

A hollow valve body 16 disposed beneath the bottom 12 has a chamber l1therein which, as best shown in Fig. 8, terminates at one end in a spoutl8 and which has an internally threaded inlet opening I9 at its otherend communicating with the interior of the cabinet and arranged toreceive in tight threaded engagement therewith the externally threadedmouth of a suitable container 2| which contains a quantity of liquiddetergent such as, for example, liquid soap. The container 2| is locatedwithin the cabinet H on one side of the partition wall i3 and it iseasily,

inserted or removed through the top of said cabinet upon removal of thecabinet cover 22. It is not essential, however, that a separatecontainer be provided, although so to do is often convenient, since theportion of the apparatus within which the container 2| is located couldbe arranged to be a reservoir for the liquid detergent, in which eventthe opening l9 would communicate with the bottom of such reservoir.

The spout l8 has an internal circumferential shoulder 23 adjacent itsoutlet which affords a valve seat for a valvev 24 secured on a verticalreciprocable stem 25. The stem 25 serves to guide vertical movement ofthe valve and also functions for a purpose to be described presently.The valve 24 is normally seated against the valve seat 23 by acompression spring 26 arranged around the stem 25 between the valve anda bearing sleeve 52, described hereinafter, and therefore the liquiddetergent is prevented from flowing freely from the spout I8. When aquantity of detergent is desired, the operator places a hand against thefree end of an extension 25a of the stem 25, such extension dependingthrough the spout. When the extension 25a is pushed upwardly to overcomethe tension of spring 26, the valve 24 is moved away from the valve seat23 and the liquid detergent flows out the spout l8. When the extension25a is released the valve closes under tension of the spring 26.

Asmentioned hereinbefore, the present dispensing apparatus isconstructed to hold a quantity of a suitable mild abrasive anddispensessuch abrasive in measured quantities in conjunction with the dispensingof the liquid detergent. The abrasive, such as for example, corn meal orthe like, is contained within a compartment 21 located within thecabinet I l to one side of the partition l3, and is dispensed through apassageway 28 (Fig. 11) in the valve body 16 upon actuation of ameasuring valve generally indicated at 29.

As best illustrated in Figs. 6, 11 and 12, the measuring valve includesa block 30 that is suitably fastened against the inside face of thecabinet bottom l2, as by screws 3|. An annular recess 32 is formed inthe top of the block 30 and a valve member 33, having a plurality ofuniformly circumferentially spaced webs 34 radiating from its hub, isfitted snugly into the recess 32 and is retained for free rotationtherein by a cover plate 35 secured to the block 39 as by screws 3'6.Upon referring to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the plate 35 has an archshaped opening 31 in registering alignment with the circular path of thewebs 34 so that the spaces between said webs are filled with theabrasive as they pass therebeneath when the valve member 33 is rotatedin a manner to be described presently. The bottom wall of the cincularrecess 32 also has body 16. As a consequence, the abrasive materialcontained within the pockets between adjacent radial webs 34 of thevalve member 33 is discharged from these pockets when the valve isrotated to sequentially carry the pockets into registry with the bottomopening 38.

Although rotation of the circular valve member 33 may be accomplished inany suitable manner, the objects of this invention are best attained bythe inclusion of suitable mechanism to effect step by step rotation ofsaid valve member in timed relation to opening of the liquid dispensingvalve 24 so that a measured quantity of abrasive is dispensed into thehand at the same time the liquid detergent is dispensed. Accordingly,the valve member 33 is axially secured, as by a pin 4!, to

the lower end of a rotatable shaft 42 which exan opening 38 (Figs. 11and 12), located out of registering alignment with the top plate opening31, which communicates through an opening 39 with the dischargepassageway 28 in the valve tends upwardly through the compartment 21 andwhich has the upper end thereof journalled in a frame 43 firmly mountedwithin the upper part of the cabinet II. A ratchet 44, preferably havingthe same number of teeth as there are pockets between the webs 34, issecured to the upper end of said shaft above the frame 43. The frame 43also provides a mounting surface for a bracket 45 having spacedupstanding ears 46 between which a rocker lever 41 is pivotally secured.One end of the lever 41 has a ratchet engaging pawl 48 pivotallyconnected thereto and its other end bridges the partition wall l3, asbest shown in Fig. 5, and is suitably flattened at its end as at 49 fora purpose to be explained presently.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 10, it will be noted that the liquiddispensing valve stem-25 extends upwardly through an upright tube 5|,firmly secured at its lower end in the valve body IS. The stem is guidedfor free vertical reciprocation within said tube by av lower bearingsleeve 52 and an upper cap sleeve 53. The flattened end 49 of the rockerlever 41 is disposed directly above but normally spaced slightly fromthe top end of the stem 25. Hence, when the stem 25 is moved upwardly,upon the application of upward pressure on the free end of the stemextension 25a to open the liquid valve 24, said stem engages theflattened end 49 thus rocking the lever 41 sufliciently to cause thepawl 48 to rotate the ratchet 44 a distance equal to the spacing betweenadjacent ratchet teeth. Consequently, the rotatable abrasive dispensingvalve 33 is moved sufficiently to locate one of the filled pocketsdirectly over the discharge opening 38 so as to thereby discharge thecontents thereof into the discharge passageway 28. When the stem 25 ispermitted to return to its initial lowered position under the influenceof spring 26, a spring 54 (Fig. 10) returns the rocker lever 41 to itsoriginal position of rest and the pawl 48 carried thereon drops into aposition to co-act with the next successive tooth on the ratchet 44 whenthe stem 25 is again raised to repeat the dispensing operation.

Inasmuch as certain abrasive materials may tend to pack within thecompartment 21, a plurality of radial agitator arms as 55 may beprovided on the rotatable shaft 42to agitate the contents of theabrasive storage compartment through which the shaft 42 is extended.

Since there may be instances when it will be desirable to dispense theliquid without dispensing the abrasive, it is desirable that the upperend of the stem 25 be spaced from the flattened end 49 of the rockinglever 41 when the valve 24 is engaged with the seat 23, this being shownbest in Fig. 10. With the parts so arranged the extension 25a may bemoved up slightly to unseat the valve M fromthe seat and. thereby permitdispensing of the-"liquid, but 'in-such circumstancesthe rocking leverfl will not be actuated unless the stem is raised sufflciently to engaand move the lever 4 1 and if this: lever is. not moved; no abrasivewillbe dispensed.

Since it may be desirable to insure that a supply of liquid detergentand abrasive will always be contained in my novel apparatus,sightopenin-gs as 56 may be provided in the front wall of the apparatusin alignmentwith the compartments therein in which such products"arestored so'as to thereby facilitate visual inspection ofduantitystored in the respective compartments.

It will be apparent'that an apparatus arranged as above described willenable the hereinabove set forth and kindred objects of this inventionto be realized; However, while I have illustrated and described aselected embodiment of myinvention, it is to be understood that this iscapable of variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to belimited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself ofsuch changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the followingclaims.

-I claim 2 1. In an apparatus including a cabinet in which twodispensable materials may be stored, a body on said cabinet having twoadjacent discharge openings therein, a valve for controlling flow of oneof said materials through one of said discharge openings and including apart extended through such opening and beyond said body, a valvestructure through which the other material may pass to the otherdischarge opening and including an outlet opening in communication withsuch discharge opening and inlet opening out of register with the outletopening, a measuring valve member shiftably mounted in said valvestructure and operable in a shifting movement to advance material to bedischarged from said inlet to said outlet opening, and means foroperating said shiftable valve member upon movement of said part to openthe valve controlling flow of said one discharge opening.

2. In an apparatus including a cabinet in which two dispensablematerials may be stored, a body on said cabinet having two adjacentdischarge openings therein, a reciprocable valve for controlling flow ofone of said materials through one of said discharge openings andincluding a part extended through such opening and beyond said body, avalve structure through which the other material may pass to the otherdischarge opening and including an outlet opening in communication withsuch discharge opening and inlet opening out of register with the outletopening, a measuring valve member shiftably mounted in said valvestructure and operable in a shifting movement to advance material to bedischarged from said inlet to said outlet openin and means for operatingsaid measuring valve member through a shifting movement to effectdischarge of material upon movement of said reciprocable valve to openposition and when said part is moved toward said body.

3. In an apparatus including a cabinet in which two dispensablematerials may be stored, a body on said cabinet having two adjacentdischarge openings therein, a reciprocable valve for controlling flow ofone of said materials through one of said discharge openings andincluding a part extended through such opening and beyond said body, avalve structure through which the other material may pass to the otherdischarge opening and includingan outlet opening in communication withsuch discharge opening and inlet opening out of register with. theoutlet opening, a rotatable valve member in said valve structure: andoperablein a rotative indexing movement to advance material from theinlet to the outletopenings, and means for imparting rotative movementtosaid valve member to efiect discharge of material upon movement of saidreciprocable'valve to open position and when said part is moved towardsaid body.

' 4. In an apparatus including a cabinet in which two dispensablematerials may be stored, a body on said cabinet having two adjacentdischarge openings therein, a reciprocable valve for controlling flow ofone of said materials through one of said discharge openings including astem extended through such opening and beyond said body and having apart thereof extended into said cabinet, a valve structure through whichthe other material may pass to the other discharge opening and includingan outlet opening in communication with such discharge opening and inletopening out of register with the outlet opening, a rotatable valvemember in said valve structure and operable in a rotative indexingmovement to advance material from the inlet to the outlet opening, ashaft on which said rotatable valve member is mounted, and meansoperable upon movement of said stem to open the valve associatedtherewith for operating said shaft to thereby impart rotative movementto said valve member to efiect discharge of material upon movement ofsaid reciprocable valve to open position and when said part is movedtoward said body.

5. In an apparatu including a cabinet in which two dispensable materialsmay be stored, a body on said cabinet having two adjacent dischargeopenings therein, a reciprocable valve for controlling flow of one ofsaid materials through one of said discharge openings including a stemextended through such opening and beyond said body and having a partthereof extended into said cabinet, a valve structure through which theother material may pass to the other discharge opening and including anoutlet opening in communication with such discharge opening and inletopening out of register with the outlet opening, a rotatable valvemember in said valve structure and operable in a rotative indexingmovement to advance material from the inlet to the outlet opening, ashaft on which said rotatable valve member is mounted, and ratchet meansoperable in the final portion of a valve-opening movement of said stemto impart a step-like indexing movement to said shaft to thereby rotatesaid valve member to effect discharge of material upon movement of saidreciprocable valve to open position and when said part is moved towardsaid body.

6. In an apparatus including a cabinet in which two dispensablematerials may be stored, a body on said cabinet having two adjacentdischarge openings therein, a reciprocab'le valve for controlling flowof one of said materials through one of said discharge openingsincluding a stem extended through such opening and beyond said body andhaving a part thereof extended into said cabinet, a valve structurethrough which the other material may pass to the other discharge openingand including an outlet opening in communication with such dischargeopening and inlet opening out of register with the outlet opening, arotatable valve member in said valve structure and operable to advancematerial from the inlet to the outlet opening, a shaft on which saidrotatable valve member is mounted, and ratchet means operable uponmovement of said stem to open the valve associated therewith forimparting a step movement to said shaft to thereby rotate said valvemember to effect discharge of material upon movement of saidreciprocable valve to open position When said part is moved toward saidbody, the material to be discharged through said rotatable valve memberbeing stored in a compartment in said cabinet, said shaft being extendedthrough such compartment, and means on said shaft for agitating materialin said compartment upon movement of said shaft.

7. In an apparatus including a cabinet in which two dispensablematerials may be stored, a body on said cabinet having two adjacentdischarge openings therein, a reciprocable valve for controlling flow ofone of said materials through one of said discharge openings andincluding a part extended through such opening and beyond said body, avalve structure through which the other material may pass to the otherdischarge opening and including an outlet opening in communication withsuch discharge opening and inlet opening out of register with the outletopening, a rotatable valve member in said valve structure and operableto advance material from the inlet to the outlet openings, and means forimparting rotative movement to said valve member to effect discharge ofmaterial upon movement of said reciprocable valve to open position whensaid part is moved toward said body, the material to be dischargedthrough said rotatable valve member being stored in a compartment insaid cabinet, and means operable with said rotatable valve member foragitating material in said compartment upon movement of said valvemember,

ALFRED C. STEFAN, JR.

